The Alpha's Rebel

Chapter 25

I turn away from the arrow and rush to the railing, scanning the ground in front of me as well as the tree line to see where it came from. I know it's hopeless, because the arrow has clearly been sticking out of the wall for a while. Whoever shot it is long gone.

So, next plan. Pick up a scent and follow it.

I walk up to the arrow, but before touching it at all, I sniff for any dangerous scents that could potentially harm Maddox. Or me. I'm much more concerned about the dangers this arrow presents for him.

I'm most worried about this arrow being a bomb set to go off the second I yank it out of the wall. I don't smell anything suspicious though. Just the tangy scent of the metal. Tentatively, I touch the arrow with the tips of my fingers, and nothing happens. I wrap my fist around the slender body and pull. It pops out of the wall, and again, nothing happens.

Good.

I inspect it for any engravings or signs of where it could come from, and I only find one. At the butt of the arrow, there's a tiny bow drawn back with an arrow ready to launch. I'll have to find out what that means later, but for now, I need to hunt down the scent.

I hold the arrow up to my nose and close my eyes as I sniff, focusing in on the scent that the arrow holds. I catch something, though it's barely there. I can't place what it smells like, but that doesn't matter. The scent exists, and I need to follow it.

Without another thought, I run and dive over the edge of the balcony, shifting in midair and landing in the ground on all fours. I bolt for the woods, glad I don't see any pack members out right now. I don't want to worry anyone.

At the edge of the trees, I come to a halt and hold my nose up in the air. I find the scent, change my direction a little, and take off again. Weaving through the trees, I follow the trail the scent left, but it doesn't get any stronger or weaker.

And then the scent dies. I stop running, realizing that I'm right on the border. Somehow, the second this person left the border of our pack lands, the scent of them died. I hold my nose to try and pick anything up, but the only thing I get is what's behind me.

I shift back into my human form and scan the area for any sign of who could have shot the arrow. Maybe they left something behind that I can use to find them, or at least figure out who they are.

I hear and smell someone approaching at the same time. I look up in their direction, getting prepared for a fight, and I realize it's one of the men doing border patrol. I relax a little, but I keep the hard exterior on my face. He stops and looks at from a distance, calling out in a gruff voice, "Who are you?" He has the sling of a gun strung along his chest, and he doesn't look far off from taking hold of the gun and pointing it in my direction. I'm surprised he hasn't pulled it out already.

"My name is Harper," I reply, my voice smooth and full of the natural confidence it's always held. I realize that my name has no significance to him whatsoever, and that I have to add my new title for him to realize that I'm not a threat. It still sounds weird thinking, much less saying, 'Luna Harper', so instead, I say, "I'm Alpha Maddox's mate."

The man instantly relaxes, though I notice that he doesn't let his guard down. He now knows that I am no one to be worried about, but he is still on patrol. "Luna, I apologize for my rudeness," he says, slightly bowing his head down.

"You don't need to apologize for anything," I say, adding a lighter tone to my voice. I want to make sure that my pack members don't grow to fear me, and speaking in the bitch voice that comes naturally to me won't help in that department. "And please, just call me Harper. Luna makes me feel old. What's your name?"

He raises his head, and there's a small smile playing on his lips. He looks to be around thirty or so, with slight wrinkles at the corner of his eyes. "Matthew," he responds.

"It's nice to meet you, Matthew," I say, because it sounds like the right thing to say. It is nice to meet him, but the polite words sound weird coming out of my mouth. It's something I'll have to get used to, though. As Luna of the Blood Woods pack, being polite and kind to my pack members is something I'll have to grow to do.

"Forgive my curiosity, Luna—Harper," he corrects after I give him a pointed look, "But how old are you? You look so young."

"Eighteen. And you have nothing to be forgiven for. Anyone has the freedom to ask me innocent questions." The smile on Matthew's face grows.

I remember the black arrow I have in my hand, and my mind goes back to figuring out where the hell it came from. I drop the pleasantries and ask, "Has anyone on border patrol in the last twelve hours seem anything suspicious?"

Matthew's smile drops, and he shakes his head back and forth. "I haven't seen anything, but I'll mind link to ask. I doubt anyone else has, though. They would have reported it." I nod my head, and I wait quietly as his eyes glaze over. A few seconds later, he confirms his previous statement. "No one has seen anything. Why are you wondering?"

I hold the arrow just right so it's hidden behind my arm, and I debate whether I tell Matthew. I shouldn't. I shouldn't tell anyone until I tell Maddox, and, as of now, I'm not planning to tell Maddox.

Matthew takes my silence exactly how I hoped. "I'll keep my eye out and let you know if I see anything suspicious. I'll let the other border patrols know to report anything to you and Alpha."

"Just me," I say quietly, and Matthew looks uneasy. "I haven't talked to Maddox yet, and I don't want him finding out from someone else." He nods, but he does still look weary. I get it. He doesn't want to hide anything from his alpha.

I can't have Maddox knowing about this. I need to do whatever I can to protect him and my pack at all costs, and I don't want him to worry about this. I'm going to figure out where this arrow came from, take down that person, and problem solved. Maddox doesn't need to know about it until after it's handled. I tell him about it when it's over and no longer needs to be worried about.

I nod at Matthew in goodbye and shift, taking off back towards the house. Maddox mind links me right as I turn back.

Baby, where are you?

I went on a run. I'm excited to explore, I respond, shoving away the guilt that starts seeping in for not telling him the whole truth. I didn't lie, but not telling him the real motives still leaves and unsettling feeling.

When will you be back?

Soon.

Hurry up. I miss you.

His words make me smile, even in my wolf form. They also make me feel even more guilty.

I tell myself that I'm going to figure out where this arrow came from and handle the situation as quickly as I can so I don't have to lie or hide anything from Maddox. I hate to do it, but I don't want him to have to worry about me or anyone else. I know I can handle this, and I know I will.

But first, I have my mate waiting in our bed back home.